The Development Compass

“Seems lately I am constantly being reminded of how far I am from living the life I want to live.” Said a friend over coffee. “I don’t even know what it is I want, or what I’m passionate about. I still haven’t figured out what I’m supposed to do with my life.”

So often, we externalize “purpose” as if its some magical answer, just outside of ourselves, as if we could only grasp it, our lives would begin. We think as soon as we figure it out, we could get that degree, that job, we could start that business, we could “change the world.” Trouble is, in all of our trying to figure it out, we miss one important truth about Purpose.

Our purpose is not found in what we do from 9 to 5, or our job title, or career status. Our purpose in life is TO BE. As authentically and joyfully as we can, to BE as full of our Selves and our passions as possible.

Our purpose is found in doing the things we love to do- the things that bring us joy. Whether or not we do these things for a “living” is irrelevant. Our purpose is in the LIVING. To connect, to grow, to live, to laugh, to utilize the gifts we have been given in whatever way we can, to touch the lives of our friends and family, to express ourselves, to share our stories, to maximize our experience on this planet.

Sadly, instead of LIVING our purpose, we squander our lives WONDERING what our purpose is. We squander our energy, doing things that drain us, so that there’s nothing left in us, to do the things we love.

We squander our relationships, letting them slip away without honestly speaking our minds, without caring for them like the precious gifts they are. We squander our time, wrapped up in tedium and routine, without making any time for doing the things we love to do.

We squander our lives away, wondering what to do with our lives.

The good news - you don’t have to “figure out” what to do with your life. You only have to live it.

And as you pay attention to the things you love to do, you’ll find them to be the KEYS to living your purpose. Do you love to paint? PAINT! Do you long to dance? DANCE! Does communing with nature bring you joy? TAKE A WALK! Do you wish you had more friends? MAKE FRIENDS! Do you wish your life were different? Create a new life!

Don’t waste any more time waiting for your life to start. Your life is now.

* * *

Lisa Olson is a creative consultant, writer, Life Purpose Coach, facilitator, and co-founder of Spark! a Dallas-based women’s organization. With an extensive background in recruiting and career counseling, she has interviewed hundreds of people and has helped countless others find their “dream jobs.” To subscr’be to her fre’e newsletter for people in transition, send blank e-mail to livinginlimbo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

I think Lisa makes a great point when she writes,

The good news - you don’t have to “figure out” what to do with your life. You only have to live it.

And as you pay attention to the things you love to do, you’ll find them to be the KEYS to living your purpose. Do you love to paint? PAINT! Do you long to dance? DANCE! Does communing with nature bring you joy? TAKE A WALK! Do you wish you had more friends? MAKE FRIENDS! Do you wish your life were different? Create a new life!

Don’t waste any more time waiting for your life to start. Your life is now.

In general I’d agree with Lisa. And as a mindset and a starting point, she’s so right.
However, we find individuals make their way to us who want something a bit more specific, personal and unique. In short a template that shows what is ‘true north’ for them, a kind of development compass - hence our name

What do you think? Is a general mindset and attitude enough, or is this the foundation for more finesse?

I know I’ve found it easier to be clear and focussed since I’ve been clear about my life purpose, and who I am essentially.

Isn’t it draining when you’re around people who are constantly putting other’s down or putting people in their place? I’m thinking about those that like to get one over others, or assert themselves at the expense of someone else feeling good.

Yes, yes, yes, we all live in a competitive world and its true that we all need to get on and do things. However, putting others down can be a costly ploy for those involved. It doesn’t matter if we are being put down by others or if we are observer’s of this in action. Either way, I’m sure we’ve all felt the negativity and eventual exhaustion that can come from this.

Often, we can be at a loss to know the most effective way to deal with this. Sometimes we feel that we should intervene and other times we just think we’ll be causing trouble and its not worth the hassle of making a fuss. Even worse, being a part of this situation can drive us to our wits end. This is particularly so when we are the subject of the put downs and this seems to just drain us completely.

Its very demoralising having all our enthusiasm and energy sapped by someone who seeks to belittle us and who fails to acknowledge and recognise who we are. Over time, this can become extremely painful and upsetting. Even more alarming, sometimes the person most guilty of putting us down, to our horror, is ourselves!

As ever, the first step to take is often the hardest. Having the honesty to see this and the strength to become aware of this is usually half the battle. After all, we can’t fix what we don’t recognise. Moving from a place of challenge to one of looking for solutions is a fantastic journey in itself, anytime and any place that this occurs. If you’ve started to see some of the patterns I’ve spoken about and you are moving to a place of choice and empowerment, we wish you all the best as you continue to generate the solutions you need.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs - ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Harold Thurman Whitman - Philosopher and Theologian

Do you think that this quote points to a powerful distinction, that is so important to how joyfully and purposefully we live our lives?

We’ve noticed that our client’s report more energy, purpose, clarity, inner peace and power as outcomes of the Foundation Course. One recent client, when she really connected with the information we’d given her about her Essential Self, said,

“This is IT, I don’t need to know any more!”

Now, she didn’t mean she never needed to learn anything new, what she meant was that she now knew what was ‘true north’ for her, what her ‘inner compass’ was when considering anything new. So, for example, any new self development input would now be filtered through this template, and only what matched would be internalised, rather than scatter energy and identity because of little insight to who she really was.

This really increases levels of joy, self acceptance, and a sense of ‘flowing’ with life rather than being buffeted by it.

I guess the axiom that ‘To thine own self be true’ surely applies here, and the more we are able to be true to our ‘best’ self, the more we naturally come more fully alive.

What do you think? And how would you rate your ‘aliveness’ factor on a scale of 0 - 10, if 10 equals you being fully present and alive in each moment, living consciously rather than reactively?

We think we have put together a unique and powerful self development tool.

What is so unique you might ask?

I had the desire to take a major innovation in psychometric testing that was living exclusively in the corporate world and to marry it up with techniques that produce change quickly and easily for individuals seeking to evolve. The partnership that emerged between the Development Compass and Four Groups, has resulted in a unique product being created, and we’re exclusively offering it to individuals, worldwide, using the internet as a platform rather than the more traditional, offline methods.

I see myself as a catalyst who works with people to release all their possibilities, so that their ‘best life’ becomes a reality. I was so excited to be able to offer a precise and powerful ‘development compass’ that could serve as the ‘true north’ pointer to what is best for you in changing circumstances. Thank you Four Groups for enabling this 21st Century test to be available not only to the corporate market, but to individuals too. It’s fantastic to also have so much more to come in terms of product development, enabling individuals to have access to feedback that is specific, accurate, powerful and life changing. Keep it here to find out more!

Bruce and I did (and still do) a lot of research around the topic of Life Purpose for this part of The Development Compass Foundation Course.

One of the sites we visited had an exercise that we thought was very focussed and powerful.  It can be done quickly to find out your life purpose, and can be found at - http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/01/how-to-discover-your-life-purpose-in-about-20-minutes/

Regards,

Christine

I’m fascinated by how much we do, or don’t, understand ourselves, and the ramifications of that in our lives.

I think how much we live in conscious awareness, is vital, and improves the quality of questions we ask of ourselves, which then gives us more options in life

Byron Katie found her life changed dramatically when she was able to ask herself new questions. In the book, “Loving What Is“, she describes how she changed, and shares the questions that drove her onto new and enriched ways of living,  Byron Katie, shows what life was like for her, before she found what she calls ‘ The Work ‘ - 4 simple questions that she says will bring us to the truth of ourselves.

I found it a simple yet powerful tool to challenge painful thinking, and come back to the truth of myself and my circumstances.

Anyone else read this book?  Anyone willing to share how using the 4 questions have developed their life?

In relating the themes of this book to our Foundation Course, I think we share the ability to open up what is true right now for people.  We clearly focus on how they are hardwired to synthesize information, and how they will view the world.  We can also show them how to find others with complementary and contrasting ways of perceiving what is around them.

Specifically, our unique personality questionnaire, shows clearly what each persons strengths and weaknesses are.  Awareness is a powerful fundamental in changing our inner world, so that the outer world improves.

It strikes me that we can have as much difficulty really owning our strengths, and using them in powerful and positive ways, as we do in integrating our shadow, and growing beyond it’s limitations. 

Another area it can be hard to own, because we have a very limiting view of it is where and how you are creative.  We clearly define how you are uniquely creative.  This has surprised many a person who previously thought they were not creative because they could not draw, paint or do craftwork!!

Knowing what motivates you and how to achieve balance, is also vital to avoid ‘burnout’ or ‘overwhelm’.

The glue that holds all this together well, can be described as our ability ‘ to our own self be true ‘, which as we know can be easier said than done! We like to think that we make knowing yourself easier than you ever thought possible.

All the best,

Has anyone read Nick Williams Book, The Work We Were Born to Do: Find the Work You Love, Love the Work You Do

I found he asks a lot of creative questions.  And, some thought provoking comments!

What do you think of this?

“We all long to find our niche, a place where we belong, where our presence is valued and celebrated, where our talents and skills are known and honoured. Finding our niche is finding where we belong, a place not subject to competition, because only we can fill that place in that way, recognising our uniqueness.  Many people tailor their dreams and aspirations to match their circumstances, but we can adjust our circumstances to our aspirations and build from the inside out. The true joy of work is finding the best inside us, and identifying ways of sharing it and enriching the lives of others through our gifts.

Here are some characteristics of finding our niche:
• Our inner and outer worlds become more integrated and balanced
• We can be more of our natural shape, our natural self
• Work and pleasure are unified
• We feel recognised
• We are in a place where we feel safe and belong
• We are home
• We are in alignment with ourselves and have integrity
• We are on track and on purpose
• We support the spiritual side of ourselves in work
• Our niche fits in beautifully with other people’s niches
• We are the right shape in the right hole, a good fit
• Our work is worthwhile and important
• Our joy in doing our work is the reward of our work, not just approval or external rewards

The work we were born to do is about our choices, based on our inner and outer needs and desires. It is unique for each of us. As each of us finds or creates our natural niche, we help others to find theirs, just as we were helped by those who showed us some direction”.

My vision for those who find their way to the Development Compass is that it evolves as a place where we can meet ourselves – via the Foundation Course - in a way where we find our fundamental self answered, and know where our natural niche is.

I know I am happy to be working within my niche, where my signature strengths flow, and with people I am energised by.

How about you, what are you finding out about your niche, and how to use yourself in ways that stretch you and cause you to enjoy growing and evolving?

The Work We Were Born to Do: Find the Work You Love, Love the Work You Do